Dress for Success Cincinnati is proud to recognize National Women-Owned Business Day!

National Women-Owned Business Day celebrates the achievements and progress made by women-owned businesses and raises awareness on the importance of supporting and investing in women-owned companies.

This day was created to inspire women to dream big, believe in themselves, connect with other women entrepreneurs, and encourage communities to support women-owned brands.

To celebrate, we encourage you to support local, women-owned businesses. You can view a list of women owned businesses in Cincinnati here!

In this month's newsletter, we are excited to highlight Anna, one of our recent clients who represents hard work and determination.

After 3 years of being unemployed due to battling an illness that left Anna unsure if she would be able to talk or walk again, she was more than determined to find employment after her recovery.

Anna reached out to Cincinnati Works for help with her resume and job searching. Through Cincinnati Works, she was referred to Dress for Success Cincinnati to help her find an interview outfit.

Anna was offered a position at UC Health in their scheduling department and has recently been offered a promotion. Anna enjoys working with people and gets to help those in similar situations she was in.

Your Support Goes Beyond the Runway!

The Dress for Success Cincinnati (DFSC) 2023 Fashion Show took place on September 13th at the Hard Rock Casino in Downtown Cincinnati. Before the event began, guests had the chance to check out raffle items and shop at the Portaluca Boutique pop-up shop, with all proceeds donated directly to DFSC. 



The event started with co-chairs Meredith Bum and Lauren Gucciardo welcoming guests. They introduced Cheryl Skelley, a recent DFSC client, who shared her story of resilience following her divorce and how DFSC helped her find her confidence. 

DFSC President and CEO, Lisa Nolan, updated the audience on the organization's recent work and introduced the 2023 Mary Ivers Success Award winner, Ashley Boothby, and the 2023 Honoree, Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith, Executive Director of Cradle Cincinnati and Founder of Queen’s Village. 

The fashion show highlighted the stories of three recent clients: Anna, Kennedy, and Lauren. With support from DFSC, these women overcame barriers, such as, lack of clothing, resources, and the confidence to find employment that suited them. Kennedy, Lauren, and Cheryl then walked the runway in clothing provided by Portaluca Boutique and faux fur coats donated by Donna Salyers Fabulous Furs. 

The show ended with a presentation of seasonal fashions from the Wingate Collection, with designer Daniel Wingate in attendance from Munich, Germany. 

Thank you for supporting us through making donations, purchasing tickets, buying raffle tickets, and so much more. Your contribution makes a huge difference not only to our organization, but to our past, present and future clients.

We are proud to announce that thanks to all of your support, we were able to surpass our financial goal for the year and raise over $272,000 for our organization!

The funds raised during this event allow us to kickstart careers by enabling women to access free career services, professional networking opportunities, and the chance to be styled in professional confidence-boosting outfits. This isn't just financial support; it's an investment in the dreams and ambitions of these women, giving them the tools they need to become financially independent and achieve their dreams.  

Dress for Success Worldwide CEO Visits DFSC

In the month of September, we were honored to host a visit from Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, the CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide.

During her visit, Ms. Meyer-Shipp was given a tour of our office and had the opportunity to engage in conversations with our dedicated staff.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Michele for taking the time to visit us. Your exemplary leadership is truly appreciated.

Get Involved at Dress for Success

Donation Center Volunteers Needed!

• We need volunteers to help in our Donation Center. In this role, you'll be sorting and hanging clothing donations!

Sign Up Here >>

Check out this month's opportunities at Dress for Success Cincinnati.

EmpowerHER

Rising Beyond Violence: Ending GBV in Day-to-Day Life

Saturday, October 21st

10:00 am - 12:00 pm // Dress for Success Cincinnati

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, join DFSC as we hear from Bri Ledsome, Development Director at Women Helping Women, on the topic “Rising Beyond Violence: Ending GBV in Day-to-Day Life," as we gather to address one of the most pressing issues affecting our society today—Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

All women, no matter where they may be in their professional journey, are welcome!

Please RSVP here and complete this survey to secure your spot!

StyleHER

The Mobile Career Transformation Center allows us to take our full complement of styling services to women across the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. See below for upcoming events.

• October 4 // Gateway College
• October 11 // Mindful Healing Center
• October 18 // Xavier University

If your agency or organization would like additional information about scheduling, participating or volunteering for a Mobile event, email our Styling Services Manager at kblack@dfscincy.org.

Save the Date for the Fall Warehouse Sale

The Portaluca Warehouse Sale is only one month away! Stop by November 2nd, 3rd and 4th to fill bag with fabulous fashions for only $25!

Thursday: 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm

All proceeds benefit Dress for Success Cincinnati!

New opportunities and events for you to discover in our area.

Dress for Success Cincinnati is committed to bringing you new opportunities to learn and connect with our Cincinnati community. Here are some upcoming opportunities for you to get involved and stay connected:

Black Art Talks | Black Women in Art

October 10 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm // Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Join Cincinnati Poetry Slam and Playhouse in the Park for an inspiring evening celebrating the incredible talent and creativity of Black women in art. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a budding artist, or simply curious about the power of creativity, this event is for you. Connect with like-minded individuals, gain insights from inspiring speakers, and discover new artists who are shaping the future of the art scene. Read more and sign up here.

Community Baby Shower

October 14 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm // Child Focus Early Learning

If you are a first-time mom/dad or have children, join Health Source of Ohio for a day all designed for you. There will be several healthcare professionals and organizations to provide resources and support available. Each parent will receive giveaways for their baby. Each family will be entered into the drawing to win a fabulous gift basket. Learn more and register here.

Unite for a Cause: Care & Cure

October 14 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm // Gray Road Church of Christ

Explore valuable resources, participate in an open discussion, and be inspired by the remarkable journey of breast cancer survivor and Cincinnati Cancer Advisor' Director of Strategic Community Engagement, Sherry Hughes. Learn more and RSVP here.

Queens Village Fall Harvest Festival

October 30 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm // Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar

Join the Village for a fall festival you will not forget! Come to Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar at 6pm for an evening of family fun. There will be food, Fall/Halloween themed arts and crafts, games, face Painting, gift bags and more! Spots are limited, so register today.